I only make one-of-a-kind items. No two pieces are identical. I can custom make a piece for you from a drawing, a book, or a variation of a piece on my site. I may be reached via email at toddbitler@yahoo.com.

Brass Banded Scrimshawed Horn

18th century powder horn with a domed scalloped plug made from cherry wood with an iron furniture pull to hold the strap

The plug was hollowed out on the inside like the originals to cut down the weight

The plug is held to the horn by an inletted scalloped brass band with brass pins

The spout of the horn is a separate piece slid over top of the main body and is also held at the juncture by another scalloped brass band

Also on the spout is a brass neck reinforcement with an iron ring that holds the strap

The tip of the spout has a relieved spiral design

The spout plug for this horn is a maple limb knot with a bone maskette (face) inlay

The scrimshaw on this horn consists of geometric heiroglyphs surrounding the end cap and spout. Some of these designs resemble leaves possible from the tobacco plant. Also in the design are representative animals including a male and female deer
facing oposite one another. The female deer is talking to a snake coiled around a tree; on her rump is a small bird talking to the male deer.

Also scrimshawed on the horn is a large swan holding a fish in its mouth. Centered in the horn is a large tree on a turtle's back representing land with two large teethed fish trying to eat the land.

Finishing the horn is a hand woven hemp strap that has braded tassels. The strap has been frayed and stained from years of use.

This horn is significantly aged to represent decades of use including scratches, file marks and a lot of character. The great patina on the brass represents that of an old salvanged kettle.

This horn is made in the style of a Native horn which could have been taken from a white man and adapted.

SOLD

If you like this style, please contact me and I can custom make a similar piece for you.

Indian Turtle Horn

18th century Indian horn with applied brass spout; brass salvaged from a worn-out kettle. For a spout plug, a bird bone was chosen.

Neck of the horn has been relieved into an octagon shape and engrailed with scallops and pierced triangles

Also on the neck is a wide brass band pinned to the horn; soldered to this band is a lug that holds an iron ring to attach a strap

At the top of the horn is a flamed oak end plug pinned with iron pins. End plug has a relief carved turtle with a hieroglyphic design representing the sun; inside the sun design
is a series of inlaid trade beads

Finishing the end cap, the head of the turtle holds an iron ring to attach the strap

This horn is scrimshawed in Indian fashion. It starts with intertwining thorned vines that travel from the brass band to the end cap. Between each section of vine are scrimshawed animal scenes
that include two deer (1 laying and 1 standing), a coiled snake talking to a turtle, and the sun overlooking a large tree with a bear talking with a bird.

The patina on the brass represents decades of hard use.

This horn is significantly aged to represent a lot of use including scratches, a small crack at the endcap, file marks and tons of character.

This horn represents the style of an original Indian horn and could very well be mistaken as one.

SOLD

If you like this style, please contact me and I can custom make a similar piece for you.